Anfield locals are being asked to comment on redevelopment proposals for some of the many boarded-up houses close to Liverpool FC’s stadium.

Residents have been invited to discuss plans for eight empty properties which have been left vacant since 2008 on the terrace adjoining Homebaked Bakery at 197-199 Oakfield Road.

Homebaked Community Land Trust (CLT) is a not-for-profit membership organisation which was established in 2012 by local people who wanted to save the treasured Mitchell’s neighbourhood bakery from demolition. It also aims to develop housing, locally-rooted businesses and other assets in the Anfield and Everton wards of Liverpool.

The project will be funded by independent trust Power to Change and the Homes England Community Housing fund, having been given the go-ahead by Liverpool City Council which owns the buildings.
Rose Seagrief, programmes manager in charge of housing at Power to Change, said: “This is a wonderful step forward for the people of Anfield and a massive achievement for Homebaked CLT.

“Access to good affordable homes and local services lie at the very heart of our communities and this project will give the power back to the local community to ensure they get the very best high street for their purposes, now and in the future.”

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Britt Jurgensen, Homebaked CLTs community engagement co-ordinator, said: “This terrace was supposed to be demolished, but by opening the bakery we saved it. Now it has given us a chance to regenerate the area and, at some point, this can hopefully be a thriving area once more.”

Liverpool City Council’s Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Housing, Lynnie Hinnigan, has described Homebaked as a “runaway success” and a “symbol of the renaissance taking place across Anfield”.

She said: “We’re delighted to be giving them the support on this new housing venture and I’m sure the community will embrace the idea and come up with some fantastic proposals to help shape this scheme.”

Homebaked CLT is inviting residents to drop into community meetings held every Thursday evening until March 22nd to discuss plans and give their opinions on what can help in the development of new housing or businesses.

The scheme will go into planning in March 2019, and Homebaked CLT hopes that work will start on the site in Autumn 2019.